Lesson Highlights

• Internal strife develops among the Nephites.
• Thousands join the Church; some Church members are lifted up in pride.
• Lamanites and Nephite dissenters defeat the Nephites.
• Nephi and Lehi remember their father's counsel.  Miracles attend their ministry.

A study of this lesson will to encourage us to build our testimonies on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Scripture references for study:  Helaman 1–5
    Note: Underlined scripture references have been hyperlinked to the LDS Scriptures at LDS.org and will open in a new window.

Lesson 33 Handout (PDF format)

Helaman 1 - Sedition & Invasion

1. A succession crisis.
• The great chief judge, Pahoran (judge during the most recent wars), passed away.
• Three of his sons offered themselves as candidates for the position of chief judge: Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni.
• Pahoran was chosen as the successor to his father's seat.
• Pacumeni gave up his claims and "did unite with the voice of the people" (v6).
• Paanchi and his followers were seeking for power and unwilling to unite themselves behind Pahoran and the voice of the people.
• Paanchi "was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren" (v7).
• Paanchi was arrested and tried for seditious behavior and condemned to death.
• Paanchi's followers were "angry" at the death of their leader and their inability to rise to power.
• WHAT DID THEY DO?
• They dispatched an assassin, one Kishkumen, to the judgment seat of Pahoran and had him murdered.
• Kishkumen was pursued by the servants of Pahoran, but he escaped.
• Kishkumen returned to his fellow conspirators and together they swore an oath of silence.
• "...they all entered into a covenant, yea, swearing by their everlasting Maker, that they would tell no man that Kishkumen had murdered Pahoran" (v11).
• DOESN'T IT SEEM PECULIAR THAT SUCH A WICKED BUNCH WOULD SWEAR AN OATH BY THEIR GOD?
• The word "assassin" comes to us from a religious sect in the medieval ages who carried out assassinations for political and religious motives. History teaches us that this group was very much like the secret combinations of the Book of Mormon.
• "And Satan said unto Cain: Swear unto me by thy throat, and if thou tell it thou shalt die; and swear thy brethren by their heads, and by the living God, that they tell it not; for if they tell it, they shall surely die; and this that thy father may not know it; and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands." (Moses 5:29)
• After the death of Pahoran, Pacumeni, the surviving brother, was chosen to fill the judgment seat.
2. Invasion.
• About this same time the king of the Lamanites, Tubaloth, "gathered together an innumerable army of men" to go up against the Nephites (v14). Possibly, Tubaloth was aware of the civil unrest amongst the Nephites.
• The Nephites were often their own worst enemy:
  • There was civil strife within the Nephite nation.
  • The most evil Lamanite leaders came from among the Nephites.
  • WHO WAS TUBALOTH?
  • Son of Ammoron, brother of Amalickiah, another dissenter from the Nephites.
  • As you recall, Amalickiah was one who made an attempt to become king of the Nephites and then fled to the Lamanite nation. He continued his deceitful ways and rose to power (see Alma 46).
  • The general of the Lamanite army was Coriantumr, another dissenter from the Nephite nation.
  • WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?
  • Joseph Smith: "The Messiah's kingdom on earth is of the kind of government, that there has always been numerous apostates.... Strange as it may appear at first thought, yet it is no less strange than true, that notwithstanding all the professed determination to live godly, apostates after turning from the faith of Christ, unless they have speedily repented, have sooner or later fallen into the snares of the wicked one, and have been left destitute of the Spirit of God, to manifest their wickedness in the eyes of multitudes. From the apostates the faithful have received the severest persecutions.... When once that light which is in them is taken from them, they become as much darkened as they were previously enlightened, and then, no marvel, if all their power should be enlisted against the truth, and they, Judas like, seek the destruction of those who were their greatest benefactors." (TPJS, p66)
  • WHAT WARNING IS THERE HERE FOR US?
• The Nephite armies, under the leadership of Moronihah, fortified the perimeters of the land.
• Consequently, the Lamanites, once they had pierced the Nephite border defenses, marched with little difficulty to the Nephite capital of Zarahemla.
• The conquest of Zarahemla was complete and Pacumeni was killed.
• Having conquered Zarahemla, Coriantumr then gathered his troops and marched for Bountiful.
• The Lamanite success sowed the seeds of its own defeat.
• "But behold, this march of Coriantumr through the center of the land gave Moronihah great advantage over them" (v25).
• Moronihah and Lehi engaged the Lamanites in battle both from in front and behind, being thus surrounded.
• I am not much of a strategist, but I have learned from playing the game of RISK, that if you allow yourself to become surrounded by an enemy of any strength, he can wear you down.
• Coriantumr was killed and the Lamanites suffered a resounding defeat. All of the Nephite lands came back under Nephite control.
• Lessons to be learned from the Lamanite wars.
• HOW MIGHT WE APPLY THE LESSON OF THIS BATTLE TO OUR OWN LIVES?
• It is possible that a close associate or a member of the church could be our enemy.
• Joseph Smith had William Law (2nd counselor in the Church) William Marks (President of the Nauvoo Stake) turn against him.
• In our spiritual defenses, Satan will attempt to penetrate at the weakest point. Once he has done that he can cause us great unhappiness and possibly our downfall.
• We must seek the counsel of the Lord in order to recognize our weaknesses and find ways to strengthen them.

Helaman 2 - Gadianton

1. Following the Lamanite invasion, the Nephite government began to reconstitute itself.
• The people selected Helaman as chief judge (son of Helaman, grandson of Alma the younger).
2. Kishkumen and the Paanchi conspirators continued to be active in pursuit of power.
• "Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman" (v5) .
• The conspiracy continued to thirst for power. How better to make inroads than by destroying the standing leadership and creating instability.
• READ HELAMAN 2:4-5. Gadianton becomes leader of the band of Kishkumen.
• Kishkumen went to assassinate Helaman, but in the process was stabbed by a servant of Helaman who had gained knowledge of Gadianton's band and their goals by "disguise" having "been out at night" (v6).
• Helaman had his own intelligence service.
• This servant alerted Helaman of the activities of this conspiratorial group.
• "And it came to pass that Helaman did send forth to take this band of robbers and secret murderers, that they might be executed according to the law" (v10).
• When Gadianton realized that Kishkumen was not returning, he gathered his band "and they took their flight out of the land, by a secret way, into the wilderness" (v11).
• Helaman's Secret Service was unable to apprehend Gadianton and his band.
3. Mormon's commentary.
• READ HELAMAN 2:12-14.
• Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet wrote: "This editorial statement of Mormon foreshadows the numerous references and examples of the 'secret plans and combinations' that follow. Mormon is instructing his readers concerning this underlying and recurring theme in the sad story of the demise of the Nephite nation that follows." (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 3: 338)
• As we know, Mormon was writing to us in our day. He seems to be pausing and telling us to take notice, as the story continues, of Gadianton, his associates, and their secret ways. As we come across the stories of the secret combinations found in the Book of Mormon, we need to consider what Mormon is telling us and how it applies to us, the Church, and our liberty in this day and time.

Helaman 3 - A Season of Emigration

1. Helaman 3 tells the account of Nephites who left the land of Zarahemla and migrated to the land northward.
• The record says they traveled a great distance to a region of "large bodies of water and many rivers" (v4).
• It has been suggested that possible sites for this migration might be Teotihuacan (NE of Mexico City) or Veracruz (E of Mexico City on the Gulf of Mexico).
• This area had previously been occupied by a large population who had met its destruction (the Jaredites).
• This land had been denuded of its timber.
2. Back in the main Nephite lands.
• The record states that there was peace in the land and prosperity in the church (v23-24).
• Except for "the secret combinations which Gadianton the robber had established in the more settled parts of the land, which at that time were not known unto those who were at the head of government; therefore they were not destroyed out of the land" (v23).
• In speaking of the prosperity and growth in the church, Mormon wrote:
• READ HELAMAN 3:27-30.
• In discussing the battle between Moronihah and Coriantumr we talked about strengthening our weak areas.
• WHAT KEY DO THESE VERSES PROVIDE?
• We need to lay hold upon the word of God (v29-30).
• READ HELAMAN 3:33-35.
• WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE RESPONSE OF THE HUMBLE CHURCH MEMBERS WHO WERE PERSECUTED BY PROUD MEMBERS?
• Their diligence resulted in "firmer" faith, joy and consolation, and the "sanctification of their hearts".
• Elder Alexander B. Morrison: "Prayer, fasting, pleading, importuning—all are involved. Striving each day that we live to mirror the Master in our thoughts and actions is necessary. To follow Him we must learn of Him. 'Search the scriptures,' He said, 'for they are they which testify of me.' (John 5:39.) As we learn of Him, as we draw closer to Him, as we strive to become like Him (see John 14:21), we grow in spiritual power....
      "Spiritual preparation is not something once done and forever finished. It must be seen as a process rather than an event—a lifelong commitment demanded by our discipleship. The long process of trial and training must itself be recognized as a test of our faith. Perseverance, patience, and enduring to the end are required. Painful, distressing times of anguish and adversity come to all. God has promised none of us an easy ride. But He has promised us a greater gift, the capacity to overcome, and the strength to endure. Only as we pass through the refiner's fire can we progress toward perfection." (Feed My Sheep: Leadership Ideas for Latter-day Shepherds, 45-46)
• WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE PERSECUTED MEMBERS TO NOT FIGHT BACK, HOLD GRUDGES, OR LEAVE THE CHURCH?
• HOW CAN WE PREPARE TO FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE WHEN WE ARE CRITICIZED OR OFFENDED BY OTHERS, EVEN ANOTHER CHURCH MEMBER?
3. In the 53rd year of the reign of the judges Helaman died and his oldest son, Nephi, became the chief judge (great-grandson of Alma the Younger).

Helaman 4 - Except The Lord Keep The City

1. Another civil rebellion.
• In the year 38 B.C. there was dissension within the church and contention among the people, even to bloodshed.
• The rebellious were slain and the remainder were driven out of the land.
• The rebellious went to the Lamanites and tried to persuade them to go to battle against the Nephites.
• The record states that the Lamanites would "not hearken to the words of those dissenters" (v3).
2. Some time later another group of dissenters went up to the land of the Lamanites, and along with the previous group, were able to persuade the Lamanites to again go to war against the Nephites.
• The Lamanites succeeded in obtaining possession of Zarahemla and many other lands.
• The Nephites under Moronihah counterattacked, but succeeded in regaining only half of their lands.
3. Mormon comments on the reasons for the great losses of the Nephites.
• NOTE: Mormon, being a great military leader himself, would have understood military preparation and strategy. He could have, in great detail, explained the technical reasons for the loss of the Nephite lands. Listen to what he said!
• READ HELAMAN 4:11-13.
• WHAT DO THESE VERSES TELL US ABOUT THE DEFENSE OF OUR OWN NATION?
  • Hugh Nibley: "The worst offenders in those days were 'those who professed to belong to the church of God. And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, of their oppression of the poor, withholding their substance from the hungry,' and so on (Helaman 4:11-12), that 'in the space of not many years' (Helaman 4:26) the Nephites were reduced to a sorry, materialistic people, hopelessly outnumbered by their enemies but with no inclination whatsoever to call upon God. 'The voice of the people . . . chose evil, . . . therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted' (Helaman 5:2)." (The Prophetic Book of Mormon, p553)
  • Elder Sterling W. Sill: "In 1835 a French visitor, by the name of Alexis de Tocqueville, made a detailed study of our national operations. Later he wrote in his book: 'America is great because she is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.' This is a divine law that applies to all nations and to all individuals. But it applies particularly to us, because our extraordinary power and our extraordinary mission give us extraordinary responsibilities." (CR, Oct 1970)

Helaman 5 - Roots, Not Branches

1. In 30 B.C. Nephi yielded up the judgment seat to one Cezoram.
2. "For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted.
Yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction.
    "And it came to pass that Nephi had become weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also, all the remainder of his days." (Helaman 5:2-4)
• Nephi, like Mormon, understood that the strength of a nation did not lie in its military preparedness or ability to fight, but in the spirituality and righteousness of the people.
3. The mission of Nephi and his brother Lehi.
• They went through many of the Nephite settlements and eventually to the territories occupied by the Lamanites.
• They preached with such great power that they were able to regain some of the Nephite dissenters (v17) and 8,000 of the Lamanites.
4. They continued into the Lamanite lands and received a cooler reception.
• They were captured and thrown into prison.
• Miraculous events occurred, and as a result of their mission "the more part of the Lamanites were converted" (v50).
• These Lamanites laid down their weapons of war and yielded up to the Nephites the lands of their possessions.
• What a way to win a war! The armies of the Nephites could not expel the Lamanites, but the humble preaching of two servants of God moved the armies of the Lamanites.
• WHY WERE NEPHI AND LEHI SO SUCCESSFUL ON THEIR MISSION AMONG THE LAMANITES?
• "...they remembered the words which their father Helaman" spoke to them (v5).
• Consider this counsel: "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
(Helaman 5:12)
• A key to protecting our personal lives from the enemy.

Gospel Doctrine Notebook

1. Record your thoughts on the events discussed in this lesson. What specific principles can you apply to your life? How?

Resources Used In This Lesson

• Conference Reports (CR).
• Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet.
• Feed My Sheep: Leadership Ideas for Latter-day Shepherds by Alexander B. Morrison.
• Studies In Scripture, Volume 8, edited by Kent P. Jackson (Daniel C. Peterson, Their Own Worst Enemies).
• Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS).
• The Prophetic Book of Mormon by Hugh Nibley.

Next Lesson

Lesson 34:  Helaman 6–12